Anyone wonders why we pay taxes on wins of $1200?

[DaBurglar]

  DaBurglar you forgot to mention the US Postal Inspection Service, they may have a hand in it somewhere.  you are correct.....they too have a big stake in being credited with actions in the "war on drugs" and other illegal activity.  But the USPS was not specifically mentioned in the article I sighted.....

[notes1]

DB, sorry, too long and too complicated to answer fully. i will simply say this, when you offer government backed flood insurance, people build houses where they should not. when you offer government backed mortgages (fannie and freddie), banks will loan to those who they should not. we started a 'war on poverty', when LBJ was in office, we still have roughly the same percentage of poverty as the 1960's. when government offers longer unemplyment benefits, people stay unemployed longer, when they reduce those benefits, more people suddenly find jobs.  human nature being what it is, we want to help those in need, but folks take advantage of that generosity. the more 'help' available, a culture of dependency is created. this is not a left-right issue, it is a matter of teaching a man to fish, instead of giving them a fish.     i/m/o, what has been lost, is pride. i am an old guy, it was a rare occurence when someone was on public assistance and they were likely embarresed by the fact they needed help. no longer, those who receive assistance often demand more, it is their right. no pride.  

[OTABILL]

Here is a good article on the IRS proposal to drop the reporting threshold to $600. IRS suggests dropping casino winnings threshold to $600

[OTABILL]

Here is a good article on the IRS proposal to drop the reporting threshold to $600. IRS suggests dropping casino winnings threshold to $600

And an editorial from the LV Review Journal:

EDITORIAL: IRS should back off bid to tax more casino winnings

[notes1]

Here is a good article on the IRS proposal to drop the reporting threshold to $600. IRS suggests dropping casino winnings threshold to $600
 anyone who likes big government or thinks we need more give away programs, better not complain. the money has to come from someplace. always sounds like a good idea when spending some else's money, until they come after your money.